Makhachkala, September 22, 2015. Yesterday, on September 21, Dagestan Prime Minister Abdussamad Gamidov met with the investors fr om Switzerland and Italy, who came to take part in celebrations dedicated to the 2000-year anniversary of Derbent.

Welcoming the guests, Abdussamad Gamidov thanked them for the visit and the attention to the ancient city. In their turn, businesspersons told about their previous visit to the republic and negotiations on the development of the tourism potential of Dagestan.

The parties touched upon the issues related to the joint implementation of investment projects in the hotel  and tourism industries. The head of the company «GRUPPO PASIT Italia» Cesare Skotoni, having already visited Karabudakhkent, Kayakent and Derbent districts of Dagestan, noted that Derbent impressed him. According to Skotoni, it should develop this ancient city because it can become a resort destination, wh ere tourists will come from all over the world.

The head of the bank "Von Roll" (Switzerland), Gerhard Amman also expressed his gratitude to all Dagestanis for their hospitality. Besides, Ammanpointed out Dagestan has a great potential in the tourism development.

"I am the owner of hotels in Switzerland and is ready to build a network of hotels in the ancient city of Derbent" - Gerhard Amman noted.

In his turn, Abdussamad Gamidov informed the guests about the adoption of a number of regulations that provide state guarantees to investors and ensure maximal conditions for their successful work. Gamidov also told about experience of Dagestan businessmen in cooperation with the foreign investors, including the Italian ones, who intend to establish a ceramic tile manufacturing plant "Marabi" at the end of 2015 year.

Returning to the subject of Derbent, Abdussamad Gamidov noted that in accordance with the decision of Dagestan leadership, a special department would be created to oversee tourism prospects in the ancient city. “We intend to build a small airport and a satellite town near Derbent in the future”, - Dagestan Prime Minister said.

Gamidov expressed confidence that Derbent would attract investors and tourists:

“The celebration of the 2000-year anniversary has promoted the positive image of the ancient city all across Russia. What we have done in preparation for the anniversary - this is only the beginning of the restoration work in Derbent. By 2018, the city will have be completely transformed.”

In conclusion, Abdussamad Gamidov thanked the potential business partners for their willingness to invest in the economy of Dagestan.

The meeting brought together the first deputy Prime Minister RD Anatoly Karibov, the deputy Prime Minister RD, Dagestan minister of economy and regional development Rayudin Yusufov, Dagestan minister of industry, trade and investment Yussup Umavov, Dagestan minister of labour and social development, a spokesman for the Russian ministry of foreign affairs in Makhachkala Bagavudin Aliyev, the head of the investment company “GRUPPO PASIT Italia” Cesare Skotoni, the president of the bank, "Von Roll" (Switzerland), Gerhard Amman.